A new role for tamoxifen in oestrogen receptor-negative breast cancer when it is combined with epigallocatechin gallate
2008

Tamoxifen and EGCG Combination Reduces Breast Cancer Growth

Sample size: 10 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Scandlyn M J, Stuart E C, Somers-Edgar T J, Menzies A R, Rosengren R J

Primary Institution: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Hypothesis

The combination of tamoxifen and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) will significantly suppress tumor growth in ER-negative breast cancer.

Conclusion

The combination of tamoxifen and EGCG significantly reduced tumor growth in ER-negative breast cancer models.

Supporting Evidence

  • Tamoxifen and EGCG together reduced tumor volume by 71% compared to control.
  • Tamoxifen alone was not effective in suppressing ER-negative tumor growth.
  • EGCG treatment did not change ER protein expression in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Takeaway

Giving mice a mix of two drugs, tamoxifen and EGCG, helped stop the growth of a type of breast cancer that usually doesn't respond to tamoxifen alone.

Methodology

Athymic nude female mice were implanted with MDA-MB-231 cells and treated with tamoxifen, EGCG, or their combination for 10 weeks.

Limitations

The study was conducted in a mouse model, which may not fully replicate human responses.

Participant Demographics

Female CD1 athymic nude mice, 5- to 6-week old.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6604634

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